Grade My Investments Technology Observatory
GMI · TECHNOLOGY OBSERVATORY // ALL SYSTEMS NOMINAL
ENGINEERED BY LEOPARD DATA

Development Tools

Using VS Code and JetBrains Rider to build the Grade My Investments platform efficiently.

TOOLCHAIN OVERVIEW
rendering diagram…
flowchart TB
    subgraph IDE[Primary IDEs]
        VSC[VS Code<br/>lightweight editing<br/>Azure Functions]:::app
        RDR[JetBrains Rider<br/>full IDE<br/>advanced debugging]:::app
    end

    subgraph CLI[Command Line]
        DOTNET[dotnet CLI]:::svc
        AZ[Azure CLI]:::ext
        GIT[Git]:::svc
        EF[EF Core CLI<br/>migrations]:::svc
    end

    subgraph AUX[Auxiliary Tools]
        POST[Postman<br/>API testing]:::ext
        MYSQL[MySQL Workbench]:::data
        GK[GitKraken<br/>repo management]:::svc
        AZURITE[Azurite<br/>local blob storage]:::data
        ZAP[OWASP ZAP<br/>security scanning]:::sec
        AI[App Insights<br/>telemetry]:::ext
    end

    VSC --> CLI
    RDR --> CLI
    CLI --> AUX

    classDef app fill:#1f2630,stroke:#C0894E,color:#F3EFE8;
    classDef svc fill:#241c14,stroke:#E2B583,color:#F3EFE8;
    classDef data fill:#22201a,stroke:#C0894E,color:#EBD3AE;
    classDef ext fill:#1b1f27,stroke:#5A616B,color:#C4C0B8;
    classDef sec fill:#1d2733,stroke:#5cc8e0,color:#eafaff;
VS Code and Rider each cover distinct roles, supported by CLI and auxiliary tools across the full dev workflow.

Visual Studio Code

VS Code serves as our primary lightweight editor for rapid development and cross-platform compatibility:

Essential Extensions
  • C# Dev Kit Microsoft
  • C# Extensions JosKreativ
  • Azure Functions Microsoft
  • Azure Tools Microsoft
  • GitLens GitKraken
  • MySQL Workbench Oracle / Azure MySQL
Configuration Features
  • IntelliSense for C# and Blazor
  • Integrated debugging
  • Git integration
  • Azure Functions runtime
  • Terminal integration

VS Code Workflow

1
Project Setup

Open workspace, configure launch settings, and set up debugging

2
Development

Write code with IntelliSense, use integrated Git, and test locally

3
Deployment

Deploy to Azure directly from VS Code using Azure extensions

JetBrains Rider

Rider provides our full-featured IDE experience with advanced debugging and refactoring capabilities:

Key Features
  • Advanced Debugger Breakpoints, step-through, memory view
  • Intelligent Refactoring Safe rename, extract method, move classes
  • Database Tools Built-in MySQL client, query execution
  • Unit Testing Integrated test runner, coverage analysis
  • Version Control Advanced Git integration, merge tools
Performance Benefits
  • Fast compilation and builds
  • Optimized for large solutions
  • Efficient memory usage
  • Quick navigation and search

Rider Workflow

1
Solution Analysis

Open entire Grade My Investments solution, analyze dependencies and structure

2
Advanced Debugging

Set complex breakpoints, inspect variables, profile performance

3
Refactoring & Testing

Safe code changes, run comprehensive tests, analyze coverage

Tool Comparison

Feature VS Code JetBrains Rider Best Use Case
Startup Speed Fast Moderate Quick edits, small changes
Debugging Good Excellent Complex debugging scenarios
Refactoring Basic Advanced Large-scale code changes
Resource Usage Light Heavy Low-end machines
Database Tools Extension Built-in Database-heavy work
Azure Integration Excellent Good Azure Functions development
Command Line Tools
  • dotnet CLI
  • Azure CLI
  • Git commands
  • Bash shell
  • SSH client
  • NuGet CLI
  • Entity Framework CLI
Additional Tools
  • Postman (API testing)
  • MySQL Workbench
  • Azure Storage Explorer
  • Azurite (Local Azure Storage emulator)
  • Lucid Chart (Architecture diagrams)
  • GitKraken (Git repository management)
  • Application Insights
  • OWASP ZAP
Development Setup
  • macOS Sequoia
  • .NET 10 SDK
  • MySQL 8.0
  • Azure Functions Core Tools
  • Git for macOS